Chamber golf event still has openings

May 29, 2013

"Golf is a game in which you yell 'fore,' shoot six, and write down five."

- Paul Harvey

Golf long has been one

of those sports that has escaped my mediocre skill level and - frankly - made my head hurt a bit.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing better than hitting the links on a spring or fall day with a few buddies and an afternoon to waste.

I, though, always have been challenged. Yes, I'm the guy that steps up to the tee, takes his time, really concentrates and then swings as hard as he can. Alas, nine time out of 10, the ball's still on the pin. That one time I do make contact, the ball slices in the opposite direction as my intended target. It's so bad, I usually don't even keep score. I can't even count that high most days.

I guess you could say I'm more of a putt-putt kinda guy, even though I still seem to lose my golf ball more often than not.

Anecdotes aside, golf is one of just a handful of sports that can bring together a group of people for an afternoon of fun and fellowship.

That will be the case Saturday at Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center with the 8th annual Elkins-Randolph County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament.

Spots still are available for the four-person scramble event that will kick off with a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

This year, former West Virginia University running back and Weirton native Quincy Wilson will be the special guest. For $500, a team can draft Wilson onto their team. The general team entry fee is $300.

This year's prize package includes $500 for the first-place team, $300 for second place and $100 for third place. In addition, each tournament participant will receive a gift bag filled with items donated by Chamber members and all golfers will be eligible to win a variety of door prizes, including passes to area golf resorts, grilling sets and much more.

Special awards will be given for the last-place team, longest drive, straightest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin. In addition, Performance Motors and Allegheny Insurance will donate prizes as hole-in-one sponsors.

Those prizes include a car from Performance Motors and $10,000 in cash, a premium electronics package or airline tickets from Allegheny Insurance. Four holes will be selected for the hole-in-one prizes, with each pre-determined hole designated with a big prize.

Those interested in participating in the tournament can call as late as Friday, and off-match teams still can enter. Chamber officials will help to pair up as many teams as possible.

Participants should arrive by 8:30 a.m. Saturday to complete registration. For more information, or to register, call 304-636-2717 or email the Chamber at chamber@erccc.com. Participants also will be treated to a pulled pork barbecue lunch.